Who runs it
The city council passes ordinances, adopts the budget and sets the city’s property tax.
- Nathan AndersonLucas Mayor · elected November 7, 2023
Officials are worked out from election results: every member whose four-year term is still running, plus appointments and titles Iowa Funnel has been told about. A resignation may not show yet.
Meetings and agendas
What the council is deciding: each agenda, the resolutions and ordinances on it, and a plain-language summary.
Iowa Funnel doesn’t read this city’s agendas yet. Every council and board posts its agenda at least 24 hours before it meets.
Property taxes
How the bill is collected · What each levy is for
Who gets a property owner’s tax bill in Lucas
Homes and businesses in most of Lucas pay a combined $39.81 per $1,000 of taxable value (FY27). They pay it all to the Lucas County treasurer, who passes each government its share; the city sets and gets only its own piece, $14.40. Estimate your bill.
- City of Lucas$14.4036%
- Chariton schools$14.1235%
- Lucas County$5.4014%
- Lucas County Hospital$3.619%
- Indian Hills Community College$1.243%
- Lucas County Assessor$0.732%
- Lucas County Extension (ISU Extension and Outreach)$0.30<1%
Rates over time
Per $1,000 of taxable value: the typical combined rate people in Lucas pay, and the city government’s own piece of it.
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $40.70 | $13.76 |
| FY21 | $40.10 | $13.94 |
| FY22 | $39.31 | $13.25 |
| FY23 | $38.23 | $12.18 |
| FY24 | $40.55 | $13.84 |
| FY25 | $39.65 | $13.19 |
| FY26 | $38.74 | $12.63 |
| FY27 | $39.81 | $14.40 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $40.70 | $13.76 |
| FY21 | $40.10 | $13.94 |
| FY22 | $39.31 | $13.25 |
| FY23 | $38.23 | $12.18 |
| FY24 | $40.55 | $13.84 |
| FY25 | $39.65 | $13.19 |
| FY26 | $38.74 | $12.63 |
| FY27 | $39.81 | $14.40 |
Compared with places this size3
Lucas’s city property tax rate of $14.40 per $1,000 is the 49th highest of 199 Iowa cities with 120–260 people. The middle of the group is $11.37.
See all 199
| # | Place | Rate per $1,000 | People |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brayton | $25.07 | 138 |
| 2 | Harris | $23.13 | 145 |
| 3 | Fenton | $22.05 | 250 |
| 4 | Soldier | $21.92 | 176 |
| 5 | Coulter | $21.80 | 220 |
| 6 | Chelsea | $21.61 | 207 |
| 7 | Smithland | $21.12 | 184 |
| 8 | Volga | $20.23 | 200 |
| 9 | Alta Vista | $19.88 | 219 |
| 10 | Arthur | $19.86 | 218 |
| 11 | Coin | $19.59 | 171 |
| 12 | Rowan | $19.53 | 118 |
| 13 | Chester | $19.30 | 134 |
| 14 | Bouton | $19.25 | 125 |
| 15 | Garden Grove | $19.20 | 173 |
| 16 | Hastings | $18.95 | 157 |
| 17 | Swaledale | $18.62 | 136 |
| 18 | Cumberland | $18.42 | 248 |
| 19 | Jamaica | $18.24 | 196 |
| 20 | Hillsboro | $17.68 | 158 |
| 21 | Bristow | $17.39 | 139 |
| 22 | Woolstock | $17.26 | 141 |
| 23 | Pisgah | $17.09 | 248 |
| 24 | Lakota | $16.84 | 261 |
| 25 | Marble Rock | $16.78 | 258 |
| 26 | Auburn | $16.65 | 253 |
| 27 | Prescott | $16.53 | 186 |
| 28 | Monmouth | $16.41 | 129 |
| 29 | Blockton | $16.37 | 123 |
| 30 | Montour | $16.37 | 199 |
| 31 | Geneva | $16.25 | 137 |
| 32 | Corwith | $16.22 | 259 |
| 33 | Deep River | $16.18 | 243 |
| 34 | Waucoma | $16.17 | 235 |
| 35 | Little Sioux | $15.74 | 170 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $15.68 | 186 |
| 37 | Onslow | $15.63 | 198 |
| 38 | Linden | $15.62 | 206 |
| 39 | Woodburn | $15.59 | 133 |
| 40 | Kamrar | $15.47 | 178 |
| 41 | Greeley | $15.23 | 216 |
| 42 | Goodell | $15.16 | 139 |
| 43 | Riverton | $14.94 | 243 |
| 44 | Marathon | $14.89 | 221 |
| 45 | Ladora | $14.74 | 223 |
| 46 | Magnolia | $14.68 | 194 |
| 47 | Bagley | $14.63 | 230 |
| 48 | Davis City | $14.45 | 178 |
| 49 | Lucas | $14.40 | 176 |
| 50 | Crystal Lake | $14.36 | 243 |
| 51 | Steamboat Rock | $14.19 | 261 |
| 52 | Westgate | $14.05 | 190 |
| 53 | Palmer | $13.89 | 137 |
| 54 | Kellerton | $13.60 | 241 |
| 55 | Quimby | $13.58 | 245 |
| 56 | Ayrshire | $13.55 | 128 |
| 57 | Searsboro | $13.55 | 129 |
| 58 | Meservey | $13.43 | 212 |
| 59 | Leland | $13.31 | 240 |
| 60 | Harcourt | $13.21 | 257 |
| 61 | Calumet | $13.16 | 144 |
| 62 | Ridgeway | $13.10 | 261 |
| 63 | Farmersburg | $13.09 | 264 |
| 64 | Portsmouth | $13.05 | 187 |
| 65 | Clutier | $13.03 | 209 |
| 66 | Silver City | $12.87 | 244 |
| 67 | Delaware | $12.86 | 139 |
| 68 | Patterson | $12.84 | 176 |
| 69 | Martelle | $12.83 | 250 |
| 70 | Malcom | $12.82 | 257 |
| 71 | Clemons | $12.69 | 135 |
| 72 | Blencoe | $12.57 | 223 |
| 73 | Kensett | $12.47 | 256 |
| 74 | Millersburg | $12.40 | 135 |
| 75 | Aurora | $12.40 | 165 |
| 76 | Bridgewater | $12.29 | 145 |
| 77 | Cushing | $12.18 | 225 |
| 78 | Hanlontown | $12.17 | 200 |
| 79 | Stout | $12.14 | 194 |
| 80 | Webb | $12.10 | 139 |
| 81 | Paton | $12.09 | 217 |
| 82 | Decatur | $12.08 | 174 |
| 83 | Kiron | $12.03 | 262 |
| 84 | Rembrandt | $12.03 | 199 |
| 85 | Shambaugh | $11.98 | 161 |
| 86 | Lone Rock | $11.92 | 143 |
| 87 | East Peru | $11.89 | 119 |
| 88 | New Providence | $11.88 | 233 |
| 89 | Henderson | $11.85 | 140 |
| 90 | Parnell | $11.78 | 190 |
| 91 | Reasnor | $11.76 | 157 |
| 92 | Ledyard | $11.74 | 118 |
| 93 | Joice | $11.72 | 206 |
| 94 | Cantril | $11.69 | 224 |
| 95 | Wadena | $11.65 | 201 |
| 96 | Exline | $11.60 | 157 |
| 97 | Beaman | $11.54 | 155 |
| 98 | Delta | $11.52 | 257 |
| 99 | College Springs | $11.44 | 172 |
| 100 | Holland | $11.37 | 261 |
| 101 | Mallard | $11.28 | 255 |
| 102 | Renwick | $11.16 | 228 |
| 103 | Linn Grove | $11.15 | 155 |
| 104 | Dundee | $11.14 | 193 |
| 105 | Randolph | $11.08 | 183 |
| 106 | Leighton | $11.07 | 153 |
| 107 | Rake | $11.05 | 179 |
| 108 | Somers | $10.99 | 121 |
| 109 | Frederika | $10.99 | 206 |
| 110 | Havelock | $10.95 | 127 |
| 111 | Alexander | $10.90 | 165 |
| 112 | Goose Lake | $10.89 | 250 |
| 113 | Lambs Grove | $10.78 | 174 |
| 114 | Wallingford | $10.75 | 154 |
| 115 | Hornick | $10.74 | 255 |
| 116 | Woden | $10.68 | 183 |
| 117 | Cleghorn | $10.49 | 235 |
| 118 | Barnes City | $10.44 | 152 |
| 119 | Stockton | $10.37 | 171 |
| 120 | Randall | $10.35 | 156 |
| 121 | Dedham | $10.28 | 221 |
| 122 | Deloit | $10.28 | 246 |
| 123 | Protivin | $10.28 | 264 |
| 124 | Meriden | $10.28 | 175 |
| 125 | Drakesville | $10.24 | 170 |
| 126 | Hancock | $10.13 | 199 |
| 127 | La Motte | $10.09 | 235 |
| 128 | Melvin | $10.05 | 196 |
| 129 | Defiance | $10.05 | 248 |
| 130 | Barnum | $9.96 | 186 |
| 131 | Panama | $9.85 | 234 |
| 132 | Grafton | $9.83 | 212 |
| 133 | Clare | $9.81 | 133 |
| 134 | Tingley | $9.81 | 146 |
| 135 | Ionia | $9.65 | 220 |
| 136 | Van Wert | $9.62 | 175 |
| 137 | Rock Falls | $9.61 | 143 |
| 138 | Kirkville | $9.59 | 159 |
| 139 | Luxemburg | $9.58 | 240 |
| 140 | Superior | $9.58 | 127 |
| 141 | Rippey | $9.42 | 217 |
| 142 | Hamilton | $9.35 | 125 |
| 143 | Floris | $9.29 | 119 |
| 144 | Mitchell | $9.22 | 118 |
| 145 | Westphalia | $9.18 | 133 |
| 146 | Elberon | $9.16 | 178 |
| 147 | Dixon | $9.03 | 204 |
| 148 | Blairsburg | $8.93 | 175 |
| 149 | Prairieburg | $8.91 | 156 |
| 150 | Oakville | $8.89 | 198 |
| 151 | Welton | $8.86 | 124 |
| 152 | Luther | $8.83 | 147 |
| 153 | Harvey | $8.71 | 242 |
| 154 | Washta | $8.65 | 206 |
| 155 | Moorland | $8.61 | 169 |
| 156 | Pilot Mound | $8.54 | 155 |
| 157 | Ollie | $8.44 | 196 |
| 158 | Thor | $8.38 | 182 |
| 159 | Rowley | $8.31 | 264 |
| 160 | South English | $8.27 | 196 |
| 161 | Thurman | $8.26 | 162 |
| 162 | Boxholm | $8.11 | 177 |
| 163 | Fostoria | $8.10 | 229 |
| 164 | Low Moor | $8.10 | 242 |
| 165 | Westfield | $8.10 | 121 |
| 166 | Laurel | $8.10 | 214 |
| 167 | Lineville | $8.10 | 194 |
| 168 | Vincent | $8.09 | 125 |
| 169 | Lockridge | $7.92 | 245 |
| 170 | Mount Auburn | $7.86 | 162 |
| 171 | Haverhill | $7.86 | 164 |
| 172 | Grand River | $7.86 | 192 |
| 173 | Olds | $7.86 | 174 |
| 174 | Dickens | $7.86 | 146 |
| 175 | Castalia | $7.86 | 141 |
| 176 | Rose Hill | $7.86 | 156 |
| 177 | West Chester | $7.82 | 147 |
| 178 | Mcclelland | $7.79 | 147 |
| 179 | Lidderdale | $7.68 | 162 |
| 180 | Pulaski | $7.58 | 259 |
| 181 | Fredonia | $7.55 | 227 |
| 182 | Braddyville | $7.49 | 142 |
| 183 | Alvord | $7.41 | 216 |
| 184 | Franklin | $7.31 | 133 |
| 185 | Weldon | $7.18 | 134 |
| 186 | Brunsville | $6.95 | 128 |
| 187 | Packwood | $6.77 | 186 |
| 188 | Houghton | $6.73 | 129 |
| 189 | Williamson | $6.72 | 126 |
| 190 | Keswick | $6.49 | 238 |
| 191 | Lincoln | $6.32 | 119 |
| 192 | Gravity | $6.18 | 149 |
| 193 | Oakland Acres | $5.88 | 178 |
| 194 | Springbrook | $5.79 | 145 |
| 195 | Maysville | $5.77 | 155 |
| 196 | Panorama Park | $4.62 | 142 |
| 197 | Sherrill | $2.66 | 176 |
| 198 | Rickardsville | $2.27 | 204 |
| 199 | New Liberty | $2.27 | 141 |
The $8.10 limit
Lucas’s general levy is $8.10 per $1,000 of taxable value in FY27, at the limit.4 247 of 934 Iowa cities have a higher general levy. All cities.
FY23 $6.24 · FY24 $7.40 · FY25 $7.85 · FY26 $7.70 · FY27 $8.10 (before FY25, the general levy alone)
Outside the limit: $6.30 more5
- Liability, property & self insurance costs$6.30 · $23,440
The city’s levies, FY27
What the city raises from each levy. The general levy is capped by state law; the others are set aside for one purpose.
Budget and spending
Where each dollar of Lucas’s budget goes, FY26
Planned spending from all funds, including city-run utilities like water and sewer (“business type”), which some cities run and others don’t. Transfers between funds are left out. “Cities this size” is the average for the 197 Iowa cities closest in size (120–260 people).
| Where it goes | Of each dollar | Cities this size (197) |
|---|---|---|
| General Government | 34¢ | 21¢ |
| Public Works | 33¢ | 24¢ |
| Business Type / Enterprise | 16¢ | 32¢ |
| Public Safety | 12¢ | 9¢ |
| Culture and Recreation | 4¢ | 8¢ |
Planned spending, FY27
All funds: property taxes, utility and other fees, state and federal money. “Business type” is city-run utilities and enterprises like water or sewer.
The state’s FY27 file doesn’t include business type / enterprise yet ($22,000 in FY26), so this total is low.
Budget compared with what it spent, FY23
| Function | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|
| Public Works | $40,077 | $78,513 |
| Public Safety | $19,500 | $75,185 |
| Health and Social Services | $0 | $0 |
| General Government | $37,625 | $41,735 |
| Debt Service | $5,275 | $0 |
| Culture and Recreation | $5,000 | $5,824 |
| Community and Economic Development | $0 | $0 |
| Capital Projects | $0 | $0 |
| Business Type / Enterprise | $16,000 | $18,705 |
What it spent each year
FY24 left out6
State money
What the State of Iowa pays the city each year, and whether it has kept up with prices. Does state money keep pace? 7
What the state pays the city every year
Road Use Tax for streets, the commercial and industrial tax “backfill”, and ambulance reimbursement, paid every year by formula: $22,113 in FY25, down 13% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 30% less. Grants are below.
Show the numbers
| Source | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Use Tax (streets) | $22,575 | $21,431 | $21,994 | $22,113 |
Grants and project money
State grants and money for specific projects (roads, development, natural resources) vary with what the city applies for and wins, so they aren’t counted as the state’s regular support.
| Year | Grants and projects |
|---|---|
| FY19 | $1,037 |
| FY20 | $592 |
| FY21 | $2,770 |
| FY22 | $4,563 |
| FY23 | $0 |
| FY24 | $0 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Grants and projects |
|---|---|
| FY19 | $1,037 |
| FY20 | $592 |
| FY21 | $2,770 |
| FY22 | $4,563 |
| FY23 | $0 |
| FY24 | $0 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Has it kept up with prices?
Each source from FY19 to FY25, after inflation.
- Road Use Tax (streets)−30%$25,326 → $22,113, down 13% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 30% less
Collected by the state for the city
The local option sales tax is a city tax voters approved; the state collects it with the state sales tax and sends it back. It isn’t state aid. It’s up 24% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 1% less.
Federal grants, for comparison: $25,000 in FY25.
Elections
Most recent: November 7, 2023
City · 3
- Nathan Anderson Unopposed19100.0%
Local races from civicAPI and county auditors for Lucas; official results are on each county auditor’s site.